New Patient Information

Most likely, you have been referred to Birmingham Heart Clinic by your regular physician (self referrals are allowed if your insurance approves). Your primary physician provides for your other health care needs, allowing us to focus our attention on your cardiovascular system

The goal of this website is to help you learn more about how our services can help you. It will also answer many of the questions that new patients frequently ask.

Click here for registration forms.

Generally, your first appointment will consist of obtaining your detailed medical history, performing a physical examination and gathering additional information through laboratory tests and an electrocardiogram (EKG).

If we need other, more sophisticated tests to correctly diagnose your condition, we can perform many of them within our office and without hospitalization.

• Tip
  You may be able to reduce your medical costs by bringing information with you: previous medical records and reports, the actual chest x-ray film, CT & CTA scan/ECHO/ultrasound CD (if available), and all of your medications or a detailed list. These materials will save time and help us avoid duplicating tests that have already been performed for you.

In addition, please bring all of your insurance information (insurance card) and photo I.D. so that we can assist you in filing insurance claims. Click here for registration forms.

Paying for Services
Birmingham Heart Clinic accepts most major insurance plans, cash, checks, money orders, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Payment is due at the time services are rendered. Please come prepared to pay all or a significant portion of your patient balance (insurance deductibles, co-payments, etc.). Click here for authorization forms.

Filing Insurance Claims
Birmingham Heart Clinic's business office will file your primary and secondary insurance for you. Please bring your insurance card(s) and all information needed to complete forms. We file your insurance as a courtesy to you and are eager to help you receive the maximum allowable benefit from your carrier; however, we need your active participation in the insurance claims process. If your claim is not paid within 45 days, please call your insurance carrier to find out why it has not been paid. After 90 days, the balance may be considered your responsibility.

Depending on your type of medical coverage, specific conditions and procedures may be required. It is important to consider the information listed below that relates to your coverage.

Medicare Patients
As a participating provider of Medicare Part B (Physician Services), we will only collect your Medicare coinsurance and/or deductible at the time of service, unless you have a secondary insurance. All other services will be billed electronically to Medicare.

If you have Medicare Part A only, then the services you receive from our practice will not be covered by Medicare, which means you will be financially responsible.

HMO/Managed Care Insurance Patients
Many HMO/Managed Care plans require that you obtain a referral in order to receive care from a specialist. Please be certain you have an authorization number for office visits or any other services that are scheduled for you. Without an authorization, your insurance company will not pay their preferred benefit and could hold you financially responsible for the services you receive. It is to your advantage to make sure you have an authorization number prior to your visit.

Below are the basic forms for all new patients. These need to be filled out and brought with you if at all possible so as to speed up the registration time. They are in PDF format so Adobe Reader has to be installed on your computer to open them.

• BHC Patient Regristration Form
• BHC CV Hx Data Sheet (Pages 1 and 2)
• BHC CV Hx Data Sheet (Page 3)
• Authorization for Release of Information
• Authorization for Payment